Mobile track maintenance machine

ABSTRACT

A mobile track maintenance machine comprising a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on a track by undercarriages, track working tools mounted on the machine frame, a sound-proofing wall arranged on the machine frame and having an upper end, a lower end and side ends spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and connecting the upper and lower ends, and drive means for adjusting the sound-proofing wall relative to the machine frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile track maintenance machine comprising a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on a track by undercarriages, track working tools mounted on the machine frame, a sound-proofing wall arranged on the machine frame and having an upper end, a lower end and side ends spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and connecting the upper and lower ends, and drive means for adjusting the sound-proofing wall relative to the machine frame.

Attempts have been made to reduce the noise level of the track working tools during operation of the machine, particularly if the same are to be used in urban areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a sound-proofed mobile track maintenance machine with an improved sound insulation.

The above and other objects are accomplished according to the invention with a machine with the first-described features, wherein one part of the sound-proofing wall at the lower end is comprised of elastic material forming a flexible sound-proofing wall section, and another part of the sound-proofing wall is a rigid sound-proofing wall section connected to an upper edge of the flexible sound-proofing wall section.

The flexible sound-proofing wall section at the lower end of the sound-proofing wall enables the same to be lowered to the level of the track ties so as to improve the reduction of the noise transmission outside the machine. At the same time, the machine may readily move along track sections which contain obstructions rising above the tie level, such as switch boxes and the like, without requiring the sound-proofing wall to be raised, which would result in an increase of the noise transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of certain now preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a mobile track maintenance machine according to this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged top views, partly in section, of a portion of the machine, with the sound-proofing wall in differently adjusted positions; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the sound-proofing wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows mobile track maintenance machine 1 comprising machine frame 4 extending in a longitudinal direction indicated by arrow 6 and supported on track 3 by undercarriages 2, 2. Track working tools are mounted on the machine frame, the illustrated track working tools being comprised of transversely displaceable ballast tamping units 5 and track leveling and lining unit 7 arranged between the undercarriages.

The normally freely accessible space holding the track working tools is covered by vertical sound-proofing wall 10 arranged on machine frame 4. The sound-proofing wall has upper and lower ends 8 and side ends 9 spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and connecting the upper and lower ends. Drive means 23, 24 are provided for adjusting the sound-proofing wall relative to the machine frame.

As may be seen best in FIG. 4, one part of the sound-proofing wall at the lower end is comprised of elastic material forming a flexible sound-proofing wall section 11, and another part of the sound-proofing wall is a rigid sound-proofing wall section 13 connected to upper edge 12 of flexible sound-proofing wall section 11. In the illustrated embodiment, sound-proofing wall 10 has windows 14.

The drive means for adjusting sound-proofing wall 10 relative to machine frame 4 comprises drive 24 for adjustably spacing the sound-proofing wall from the machine frame in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, hinged wall 16 is connected to each side end 9 of the rigid sound-proofing wall section for pivoting about a first hinge 15. The drive means comprises vertical adjustment devices 18 spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and affixed to the machine frame, a second hinge 17 connecting each hinged wall to a respective one of the vertical adjustment devices, and a third hinge 19 is arranged between the first and second hinges so that two parts 20 of hinged wall 16 may be folded about hinge 19. Each vertical adjustment device has a vertical threaded spindle 22 rotatable by drive 23. Vertical axes 21 of hinges 15, 17, 19 and rotatable spindle 22 extend parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, operation of drive 24 will pivot the two parts 20 of hinged wall 16 apart so that tamping unit 5 may be moved transversely relative to the track for operation in a track switch, for example. Since second hinge 17 is adjustably mounted in vertical guide 25 and may be displaced in the guide by operation of threaded spindle 22, sound-proofing wall 10 with its hinged walls 16 may be readily vertically adjusted in any transverse position.

The lower ends of the two parts 20 of hinged walls 16 are also comprised of elastic material. A covering 26 is hinged to upper end 8 of sound-proofing wall 10, and this covering is connected to machine frame 4.

To enable the mobile track maintenance machine to move on unhindered when the lower end of soud-proofing wall 10 encounters an obstruction, obstruction sensor 28 is positioned in front of the sound-proofing wall, in the operating direction of the machine, for automatically actuating drive 23 of the vertical adjustment device.

Flexible sound-proofing wall section 11 will provide improved sound insulation by providing at least two layers 29 spaced from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 

1. A mobile track maintenance machine comprising (a) a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and supported on a track by undercarriages, (b) track working tools mounted on the machine frame, (c) a sound-proofing wall arranged on the machine frame and having an upper end, a lower end and side ends spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and connecting the upper and lower ends, (1) one part of the sound-proofing wall at the lower end being comprised of elastic material forming a flexible sound-proofing wall section, and (2) another part of the sound-proofing wall being a rigid sound-proofing wall section connected to an upper edge of the flexible sound-proofing wall section, and (d) drive means for adjusting the sound-proofing wall relative to the machine frame.
 2. The mobile track maintenance machine of claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises a drive for adjustably spacing the sound-proofing wall from the machine frame in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
 3. The mobile track maintenance machine of claim 1, comprising a hinged wall connected to each side end of the rigid sound-proofing wall section for pivoting about a first hinge.
 4. The mobile track maintenance machine of claim 3, wherein the drive means comprises a vertical adjustment device affixed to the machine frame, a second hinge connecting each hinged wall to the vertical adjustment device, and comprising a third hinge arranged between the first and second hinges.
 5. The mobile track maintenance machine of claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises two devices for vertically adjusting the sound-proofing wall relative to the machine frame, the devices being spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction and each device comprising a vertical threaded spindle.
 6. The mobile track maintenance machine of claim 1, wherein the flexible sound-proofing wall section comprises at least two layers spaced from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
 7. The mobile-track maintenance machine of claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises a device for vertically adjusting the sound-proofing wall, and further comprising an obstruction sensor for automatically actuating the device. 